U.S. patent application number 11/076344 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for contact lens package.
Invention is credited to George Brock, Edward Dzwill, James Peck, Michael D. Schulte, Roger W. Smith, Michael Tokarski, Michael Scott Ulrich.
Application Number | 20060201103 11/076344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36685989 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060201103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tokarski; Michael ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Contact lens package
Abstract
A package for contact lenses includes a first panel having a
housing mechanism, such as receptacles or wells, for housing a set
of contact lenses in the first panel and a covering layer removably
attached to the first panel for enclosing the set of contact lenses
in the housing mechanism. The package also includes a second panel
attached to the first panel. The second panel is pivotable relative
to the first panel between a first position, in which the second
panel is folded onto the first panel, and a second position, in
which the second panel is pivoted away from the first panel. When
the second panel is positioned in its first position, the first and
second panels form a substantially flat package which is adapted
for display on a conventional display unit.
Inventors: |
Tokarski; Michael; (Ponte
Vedra, FL) ; Peck; James; (Maple Grove, MN) ;
Dzwill; Edward; (Flemington, NJ) ; Brock; George;
(St. Augustine, FL) ; Smith; Roger W.; (Grove
City, OH) ; Schulte; Michael D.; (Columbus, OH)
; Ulrich; Michael Scott; (Columbus, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
36685989 |
Appl. No.: |
11/076344 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2575/3245 20130101;
B65D 75/323 20130101; B65D 2585/545 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/750 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00 |
Claims
1. A package for at least one contact lens, comprising a first
panel comprising at least one housing means for housing at least
one contact lens in said first panel and a covering means removably
attached to said first panel for enclosing at least one contact
lens in said housing means; and a second panel attached to said
first panel, said second panel being pivotable relative to said
first panel between a first position, in which said second panel is
folded onto said first panel, and a second position in which said
second panel is pivoted away from said first panel.
2. The package of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels form
a substantially flat package when said second panel is positioned
in its said first position.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein said second panel comprises at
least one second housing means for housing at least one contact
lens in said second panel; and second covering means removably
attached to said second panel for enclosing at least one contact
lens in said at least one second housing means.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein said first and second panels
comprises first and second holes, respectively, said first and
second holes being aligned with one another when said second panel
is in its said first position so as to receive therethrough a wire
of a display system.
5. The package of claim 3, further comprising retaining means for
retaining said second panel in its said first position.
6. The package of claim 4, wherein said retaining means comprises
at least one prong formed on said first panel and at least one
receptacle formed on said second panel, said at least one
receptacle being sized and shaped so as to receive and retain
therein said at least one prong.
7. The package of claim 3, for housing at least two contact lenses
wherein said housing means of said first panel comprises at least
one first well formed in said first panel, of said first well being
sized and shaped so as to house at least one contact lens; and
wherein said second housing means of said second panel comprise at
least one second well formed in said second panel, each of said
second well being sized and shaped so as to receive at least one
contact lenses.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein said covering means of said
first panel comprises a least one first cover removably attached to
said first panel, each of said first cover enclosing a
corresponding said first wells; and wherein said second covering
means of said second panel comprises at least one second cover
removably attached to said second panel, each of said second covers
enclosing a corresponding said second well.
9. The package of claim 2, wherein said housing means of said first
panel comprises a plurality of first wells formed in said first
panel, each of said first wells being sized and shaped so as to
house at least one contact lens; and wherein said second housing
means of said second panel comprises a plurality of second wells
formed in said second panel, each of said second wells being sized
and shaped so as to house at least one contact lens.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein said first and second panels
comprise first and second sides, respectively, said first wells
extending away from said first side of said first panel such that
said first side is substantially flat, and said second wells
extending away from said second side of said second panel such that
said second side is substantially flat.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein said first and second sides
are positioned adjacent one another when said second panel is
positioned in its said first position.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein said covering means of said
first panel comprises a plurality of first covers removably
attached to said first panel, each of said first covers enclosing a
corresponding one of said first wells; and wherein said second
covering means of said second panel comprises a plurality of second
covers removably attached to said second panel, each of said second
covers enclosing a corresponding one of said second wells.
13. The package of claim 1, wherein said housing means of said
first panel comprises a plurality of wells formed in said first
panel.
14. The package of claim 13, wherein said covering means of said
first panel comprises a plurality of covers removably attached to
said first panel, each of said first covers enclosing a
corresponding one of said wells.
15. The package of claim 14, wherein said second panel comprises a
viewing means for allowing the set of contact lenses to be viewed
through said second panel.
16. The package of claim 15, wherein said viewing means comprises a
plurality of openings formed in said second panel, each of said
openings being aligned with a corresponding one of said covers when
said second panel is positioned in its said first position.
17. The package of claim 16, further comprising retaining means for
retaining said second panel in its said first position, said
retaining means comprising first and second fastener members
attached to said first and second panels, respectively, and said
first and second fastener members being releasably engageable with
one another.
18. The package of claim 11, wherein said first panels and said
second panels are formed by an injection-molding process.
19. The package of claim 13, wherein said wells are formed by a
thermoforming process.
20. The package of claim 14, wherein each of said covers comprises
a lidstock made from one of a laminate comprising aluminum foil and
one or more polymers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a contact lens package and,
more particularly, to a package adapted to contain multiple contact
lenses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, contact lenses have been packaged in blister
packs. Each blister pack typically comes with a single lens and has
a receptacle for receiving the lens and a cover in the form of a
foil laminate or a lid stock removably attached to the receptacle
for enclosing the lens in the receptacle. While conventional
blister packs provide a convenient means for shipping and storing
contact lenses, they are not adapted for display on a conventional
retail display unit, such as peg-hook-type or wire-hook-type
displays or display shelves. Accordingly, there is a need for a
contact lens package adapted for display on a conventional retail
display unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and
shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new
and improved package for contact lenses. More particularly, the
package includes a first panel having a housing means, such as
wells or receptacles, for housing a set of contact lenses in the
first panel and a covering means removably attached to the first
panel for enclosing the set of contact lenses in the housing
mechanism. The package also includes a second panel attached to the
first panel. The second panel is pivotable relative to the first
panel between a first position, in which the second panel is folded
onto the first panel, and a second position, in which the second
panel is pivoted away from the first panel. When the second panel
is positioned in its first position, the first and second panels
form a substantially flat package which is adapted for display on a
conventional display unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of two
exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact lens package
constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines
2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the contact lens
package shown in FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of
FIG. 1, the contact lens package having panels which are shown in
their partially open positions;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of
FIG. 1, the panels being shown in their fully open positions;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a contact lens package
constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, a lid panel of the contact lens package being shown in
its closed position;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the contact lens package of
FIG. 5, a lid panel being shown in its open position; and
[0011] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the contact lens package of
FIG. 5, illustrating the movement of the lid panel from its closed
position to its open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention includes a package for at least one contact
lens, comprising [0013] a first panel comprising at least one
housing means for housing at least one contact lens in said first
panel and a covering means removably attached to said first panel
for enclosing at least one contact lens in said housing means; and
[0014] a second panel attached to said first panel, said second
panel being pivotable relative to said first panel between a first
position, in which said second panel is folded onto said first
panel, and a second position in which said second panel is pivoted
away from said first panel. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, there is
shown a contact lens package 10 constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The package 10 is made from a
sheet 12 folded upon itself to form a pair of panels 14, 16. More
particularly, sheet 12 includes integrally formed or living hinges
18 located between the panels 14, 16 such that the panels 14,16 are
pivotable relative to one another. A cutout 20 is formed in the
sheet 12 between the hinges 18 so as to facilitate the pivotal
movement of the panels 14, 16. As a result, the package 10 can
assume a folded orientation (see FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the
panels 14, 16 are pivoted toward each other and are hence
positioned adjacent to one another, or an unfolded orientation (see
FIG. 4), in which the panels 14, 16 are pivoted away from each
other and are hence positioned remote from one another. In FIG. 4,
panel 14 has a shape which is basically identical to the shape of
the panel 16, those panels may have non-identical shapes.
[0015] Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, the panels 14, 16 include a
set of wells or recesses 22, 24, respectively. Each of the wells
22, 24 has an open upper end 26 (see FIG. 2) and is sized and
shaped so as to receive (i.e., house) therein a contact lens 28 and
a conventional contact lens solution. These housing means, wells
22, 24 project outwardly from the panels 14, 16, respectively,
thereby providing substantially planar sides 30, 32, respectively,
and hence allowing the package 10 to be folded into a substantially
flat or slim package unit.
[0016] A cover layer 34 (see FIG. 4) is affixed to each of the
sides 30, 32 of the panels 14, 16, respectively, in a conventional
manner so as to seal off the open ends 26 of the wells 22, 24 and
to thereby enclose the contact lenses 28 therein. More
particularly, the cover layers 34, are perforated or sliced along a
predetermined line so as to form a plurality of individual covers
36, each of which seals off a corresponding one of the wells 24.
Each of the covers 36 has a tab 38 which is folded over onto its
corresponding cover 36 and which is releasably attached thereto.
Each of the tabs 38 is adapted to be gripped by a user's fingers
when peeling off (see phantom in FIG. 4) or detaching a
corresponding one of the covers 36 from the corresponding panel 14,
16 (see FIG. 4). Each of the cover layers 34 has a banner section
40 (see FIG. 4) extending across a corresponding one of the panels
14, 16. The banner sections 40 can be pre-printed with indicia,
such as a product name, instructions and other writings and
graphics.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, prongs 42 are provided on
the panel 14, while receptacles 44 are provided on the panel 16 (42
and 44 are non-limiting examples of retaining means). Each of the
receptacles 44 is sized and shaped so as to receive and releasably
retain therein a corresponding one of the prongs 42 such that the
package 10 can be releasably maintained in its folded orientation.
Each of the panels 14, 16 also includes a mounting hole 46. The
mounting holes 46 are adapted to align with one another when the
package 10 is in its folded orientation. The mounting holes 46 are
sized and shaped so as to receive therethrough a hook or a wire 48
(see FIG. 1) of a conventional display (e.g., a peg-hook-type or
wire-hook-type display). In this manner, the package 10 can be
conveniently and easily placed on such a display.
[0018] The sheet 12 can be formed by any conventional processes.
For instance, the sheet can be made from a polymer material with
the use of a conventional injection-molding process. Alternatively,
the sheet 12 can be formed by die-cutting a blank from a suitable
material and then forming the wells 22, 24, the prongs 42 and the
receptacles 44 into the blank with a conventional thermoforming
process. Sheet 12, is made from conventional materials including
but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, nylons, olefin
co-polymers, acrylics, rubbers, urethanes, polycarbonates,
fluorocarbons.
[0019] The cover layer 34 may be formed of conventional
construction, for example from an adhesive laminate of an aluminum
foil and one or more polymers such as polypropylene film, or any
other polymer, extruded film, or co-extruded film that can be
sealed to sides 30 and 32 to form a hermetic seal. Examples of
cover layers are disclosed in the following patents, which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,054,090 and 5,656,362.
[0020] In use, the package 10 is opened from its folded orientation
to its unfolded orientation by pivoting the panels 14, 16 away from
one another. When the package 10 is opened, the covers 36 can be
peeled off from the panels 14, 16 to remove the contact lenses 28
therefrom. The package 10 can then be folded back into its folded
orientation for storing unused contact lenses 28.
[0021] It should be appreciated that the present invention provides
a number of advantages and benefits. For instance, the present
invention provides a contact lens package that can be displayed
easily in a retail outlet on a conventional display. More
particularly, the package 10 can be hung from a wire or peg hook in
its folded orientation. Moreover, because the package 10 can be
folded substantially flat, it can be stacked or arranged with other
identical or similar packages on a conventional display shelf. In
addition, due to its substantially flat folded shape, the package
10 is adapted for easy shipping, storage and/or distribution. As a
result, the package 10 can be shipped easily to a retail outlet and
can be carried conveniently by a user.
[0022] It should be noted that the package 10 can have numerous
variations and modifications. For instance, the panels 14, 16 can
be formed as separate pieces that are pivotally attached to each
other. Moreover, one of the panels 14, 16 can be eliminated,
thereby providing a contact lens package having a single panel.
Alternatively, the package 10 can be equipped with more than two
panels, thereby allowing the package 10 to include additional wells
for storing more contact lenses. The prongs 42 and the receptacles
44 can also be replaced with other mechanisms (e.g., a
hook-and-loop or VELCRO.RTM. fastener). Further, the covers 36 can
be formed separately and applied to the panels 14, 16
individually.
[0023] FIGS. 5-7 depict another embodiment of the present
invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, which correspond,
either identically or substantially, to the elements described
above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, have been
designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one
hundred. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 is
constructed and assembled in the same basic manner as the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a contact lens
package 110 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention. More particularly, the package 110 includes
a pair of panels 114, 116 integrally formed with one another.
Integrated hinges (i.e., living hinges) 118 are formed between the
panels 114, 116 such that the panel 116 is pivotable relative to
the panel 114. As a result, the panel 116 is movable between a
closed position (see the broken line representation of the panel
116 in FIG. 7) and an open position (see FIG. 6). The package 10
can thus be folded substantially flat so as to be stacked or
arranged with identical or similar packages on a conventional
display (e.g., a display shelf). Velcro-type fasteners 142 are
provided on the panels 114, 116 so as to maintain the panel 116 in
its closed position.
[0025] The panel 114 includes a plurality of wells 122 (see FIG.
7), each of which is sized and shaped so as to receive a contact
lens and a conventional contact lens solution. A transparent
covering layer, 134 is made from a polymer that may be hermitically
sealed to panels 114 and 116 to cover the plurality of wells, 122.
Covering layer 134 is attached to the panel 114 and is perforated
so as to form a plurality of individual covers 136. Each of the
covers 136 is provided with a tab 138 for facilitating its peeling
or removal from the panel 114. Alternatively, the covering layer
134 can be opaque.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, unlike the panel 114, the panel
116 is not provided with wells. The panel 116 includes a plurality
of substantially circular openings 150 positioned such that, when
the package 110 is in its folded orientation, each of them is
aligned with a corresponding one of the wells 122 of the panel 114.
In this manner, the contact lenses contained in the wells 122 are
visible to (i.e., can be viewed by) a user or consumer through the
openings 150 without opening the package 110. The panel 116 thus
functions as a lid for the panel 114.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 5, the panel 116 can be provided with
indicia, such as a product name, instructions and other writings
and graphics, placed thereon. For instance, the panel 116 can
include the letters "L" and "R" placed or printed on opposing sides
of the panel 116 so as to indicate that the contact lenses
corresponding to each of the letters are for the right or left eye
of a user. Due to the fact that two wells are positioned on each
side of the panel 114, the package 110 is adapted to provide a
two-day supply of daily disposable contact lenses. Alternatively,
the package 110 can be equipped with additional wells, thereby
providing an additional number of contact lenses. Also, the package
110 can be provided with a total of two wells (i.e., the package
110 can be a one-day pack).
[0028] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein
are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications,
including those discussed above, are intended to be included within
the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *